OBITUARY: Helen Joan Shaw

Helen Joan Shaw, of Harrisburg, went to be with the Lord Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012, after a courageous battle with cancer.

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The Daily Register - Harrisburg, IL

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Posted Oct. 4, 2012 at 9:44 AM
Updated Oct 4, 2012 at 10:06 AM

Posted Oct. 4, 2012 at 9:44 AM
Updated Oct 4, 2012 at 10:06 AM

HARRISBURG

Helen Joan Shaw, of Harrisburg, went to be with the Lord Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012, after a courageous battle with cancer. She passed peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family and friends.

Helen was born in Harrisburg Feb. 14, 1931, the daughter of Fred and Ethna (Alexander) Lane. She married Herbert L. Shaw on July 4, 1955, in Corinth, Miss.

She was preceded in death by her parents; an infant sister, Carolyn Lane; her sister and brother-in-law, Kathryn and Kenneth Swearingen; sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Claud Ozment; sister, Mary Behrends; brother-in-law, Raymond Baptista; niece, LeAnn Youngren; and nephew, James Swearingen.

Helen is survived by her husband Herb of Carrier Mills Nursing Home; son, Michael (Donnita) Shaw of Harrisburg; stepsons, Gerald (Diana) Shaw of East Peoria; Del Ray (Kathy) Shaw of Sunset Valley, Texas; grandchildren, Skyler and Dakota Shaw of Washington; and many stepgrandchildren and great-stepgrandchildren. Also surviving are Helen's sisters, Sue (Robert) Coltrin and Martha Baptista; brothers, Jack (Sharon) Lane and Robert (Chali) Lane all of Harrisburg; brother-in-law, Henry Behrends of Peoria; and many, many nieces and nephews.

Helen lived in East Peoria and Peoria from 1952 to 2000 when she and Herb moved back to Harrisburg. Helen worked for many years at the Institute of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation of Peoria. She and Herb later lived in the Lydia Moss Bradley House, near Bradley University, where they cared for Mr. and Mrs. Sam Reutter (Mrs. Bradley's descendants) until their deaths. Helen was a kind and loving caregiver. She always enjoyed going out for lunch and shopping with her mother and any of her five sisters!

According to Helen's wishes, there will be no public services. Reed Funeral Chapel in Harrisburg is handling cremation rites and private family burial services will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions in Helen's memory may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois, 204 Halfway Road, Marion IL 62959.